THE MAKINGS OF AN INNOVATIVE EDUCATION

Be bold, curious and take risks you’ve never considered. This is what being innovative is all about. That’s what Chad London encourages Mount Royal University (MRU) students to do.

Innovation is nothing new for MRU students or staff. The post-secondary institution offers several futurefocused programs that help foster an innovative mindset, including the Alberta Inclusive Innovation Initiative, CityXLab, the Innovation Sprint and the LaunchPad Lab.

“There is a practical element to offering courses that are future-focused and incorporate emerging tools and technology,” says London, MRU provost and vice-president, academic. “If a student has used extended reality in a course, for example, this is knowledge they bring to their careers and it makes them comfortable with exploring new solutions and technology we don’t have in front of us yet.”

Having such an innovative mindset means incorporating many tenets of higher education, but what stands out at MRU is how students are encouraged to examine their perspectives through critical thought. They’re constantly asked what it means to challenge the status quo while considering other ideas and perspectives.

“The job of a provost at a university is to help define and implement academic priorities and align our resources to make it happen,” says London. “I can only do this by building and nurturing relationships across MRU to ensure I understand how best to support the incredible, vibrant academic culture we have here.”

One of those academic priorities is equipping students with the in-the-field skills and confidence they need to succeed and be innovative in the workforce. “Mount Royal is proud to provide students with experiences that complement what they learn in their courses through work-integrated learning opportunities that cover a wide range of fields,” London explains.

More than 70 per cent of the degrees offered at MRU include workintegrated learning, such as co-op placements, internships, practicums and work experiences.

Also known for its smaller class sizes, MRU’s faculty and students develop strong working relationships, where instructors interact directly with students and invest in their success. “Students are given space to use their voice in the classroom, share ideas with peers and get access to their professors as they work on class assignments and overcome obstacles,” says London. “This is what builds confidence in future graduates and lets them know they are ready to contribute to the workplace, and that what they bring to the table is of value to an organization.”

Such confidence is being exhibited by students long after graduation, and the innovative mindset being encouraged by MRU faculty carries over to the workforce. “I have often heard from employers that Mount Royal graduates bring new ideas from their studies that spur innovation in their organizations,” says London. “The goal is to have students leave us being able to face challenges with courage and uncover new capabilities.”

The journey of an innovative education is ongoing, and for London, one that shouldn’t end at graduation.

“I challenge myself to remain open and curious, similar to our students. I don’t pretend to have all the answers,” he says. “The learning doesn’t stop once you graduate and that’s what makes life so fulfilling.”

BY CARMEN CHENG AND CHANRY THACH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARED SYCH FOOD STYLING BY CHRIS LANDRY